Susan Bahary

Artist Portrait: A Passion Embodied

Susan Bahary, a sculptor based in Sausalito, California, stands as a leading figure in commemorative sculpture focused on the human-animal bond. Emerging from the world of canine shows in the 1970s (notably with 25 Afghan champions), she developed an intimate knowledge of anatomy, expression, and the emotional connection unique to animals. From her teenage years, she began sculpting, becoming an influential artistic voice after 1994, when her Always Faithful was unveiled at the Pentagon — the first official memorial dedicated to war dogs in the United States. Her works embody sensory realism and narrative power, where textures and postures converse with history.

A Work of Recognition: When Sculpture Becomes the Diplomacy of the Bond

Before sharing the interview Susan Bahary granted us, it is essential to appreciate the scope of her journey— not only as an artist but as a pioneer of memorial consciousness transcending disciplinary, geographical, and even interspecies boundaries.

What Bahary has accomplished is far more than artistic creation. Her work represents a revolution at the crossroads of history, social recognition, and symbolic reparation. She is, in the fullest sense, an agent of memory.

The first cornerstone of this revolution was laid in 1994 with Always Faithful, the first national American monument honouring war dogs, inaugurated at the War Dog Cemetery in Guam. Through this foundational piece, Bahary broke a taboo: that of a truncated memory which had too long consigned animals to the margins of silence. 

Her portfolio includes The Pledge at the Military Women’s Memorial in Arlington Cemetery, Service and Sacrifice at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., and Sully at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas. Her creations have been featured in numerous books and films, including MGM’s Max, the first feature film centered on war dogs.

Bahary’s international monuments include the WWI War Animal Memorial—the world’s first memorial honoring the nine million animals that perished on the Western Front during World War I—located in Pozieres, France; the Australian War Animals Memorial in Queensland’s State Heritage Rose Garden; and the New Zealand War Animal Memorial at the National Army Museum of New Zealand.

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An emblematic project illustrates the growing scope of Susan Bahary’s work: the National Service Animals Monument (NSAM). Conceived as a sanctuary unlike any other, this monumental memorial pays tribute to the commitment and sacrifice of various species — dogs, cats, horses, pigeons, dolphins, and many others — that have served alongside humans in both military and civilian contexts.

Beyond its monumental nature, this monument will serve as a genuine space for education, inspiration, and healing. Featuring an interactive journey combining exquisitely detailed bronze sculptures with innovative digital technologies via a mobile application, it aims to raise awareness among a broad audience about the richness of the human-animal bond, while offering a setting conducive to reflection, living memory, and celebration.

Driven by strong political momentum, the project received unanimous approval in 2022 from the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission. NSAM is currently in the site selection phase and an ambitious fundraising campaign is underway.

This monument, symbolised by the purple poppy, forms a bridge between past and present, an emotional gateway where collective memory intertwines with the imperative to heal wounds left by conflict, in a renewed interspecies dialogue.

Interlude: The Artist’s Voice, Memory of the Bond

There are artists who shape matter. Then there are those who shape memory.

In this conversation with Susan Bahary, a sculptor dedicated to animal recognition, we sought to understand what it means to bring visibility to what has long remained in the shadows, what gives homage its full meaning, and how art can become a tool of symbolic diplomacy bridging species, eras, and shared wounds.

Far from clichés or conventional stances, Bahary offers here a rigorous, heartfelt, and clear-sighted vision — both a witness to a legacy and an agent of its transformation.

What follows is a journey—an invitation to rethink what we owe to those whose loyalty, service, and love have given us so much.

1. Art as a Tribute: Please tell us a little about yourself, your journey, and your training. How did you come to dedicate yourself to art that celebrates the bond between humans and animals? Were there any particular moments or experiences that led you to pursue this path?

I have been an animal lover since my childhood, and used to exhibit and breed my Afghan hounds growing up. Art and music are highly valued in my family and resulted in several family members who very successfully pursued their interests. It was the commission of Always Faithful, our country’s first official War Dog Memorial, to the valiant war dogs and their handlers of World War II, that truly showed me the heart of those who serve and demonstrated the amazing bond between our service animals and their handlers. After 50 years, in a very moving unveiling ceremony, the war dog handlers of the greatest generation, returned to the island of Guam to honor and remember the dogs that saved their lives. This experience put me on the trajectory that I am on today. 

Having also been an art lover all my life I feel blessed to be able to combine my passion for art with my passion for animals. After the creation of the Always Faithful War dog Memorial I knew that honoring those who serve, both human and animal kind, would be a most worthy focus of my work and was close to my heart. I am inspired by those who risk their lives for the rest of us asking very little in return and feel they are especially deserving of recognition and compassion.

2. Honouring Heroic Dogs: You have created extraordinary works in tribute to service dogs and war dogs. What has been the most significant experience or the most moving moment in your journey?

The one I described above would be one of the most moving as it was the first experience of its kind and put me on the road that I am on today.

Everyone of the memorials that I’ve been honored to create for service animals and their handlers has been uniquely moving and important in its own way.

I would add that the creation of the World War I War Animal Memorial in Pozieres, France in the Somme Valley, was very significant as it helped lead me to the vision of The National Service Animals Monument. This memorial is on a sacred battlefield where thousands of service men on both sides perished alongside their faithful, and often beloved horses, mules and dogs. 

It felt like a spiritual place to me and the unveiling ceremony was stunningly beautiful and poignant, sponsored by the Australian War Animals Memorial Organisation. 

3. The Impact of Your Works: Your sculptures carry profound symbolic value. What reactions have you received from those who have encountered your monuments? Is there a particular moment that deeply touched you?

With every memorial comes a true appreciation of it by those who serve and by those who appreciate the animals and people who serve. It is a true honor to honor them and it is gratifying to know how much they appreciate it , and when they feel I have done them justice.

Every project brings at least one special moment, but one that stands out in my mind was the creation of “Service and Sacrifice”  for the US Navy Memorial in Washington DC. This larger-than-life bronze depicts the brave, fallen, lead dog handler SEAL Team Six, John Douangdara and his war dog Bart, who sadly were killed when their helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan by the Taliban in 2011 along with 21 other Navy SEALS and other military personnel. 

Many members of John’s family came to the unveiling ceremony including his wonderful parents and loving sister Chan who spoke so eloquently about the meaning of service and sacrifice, including its effect on family. Yet even having lost their beloved John she expressed how grateful her family was to have been able to come to America from Laos to have the freedom and life they dreamed of here and that they were grateful that John did what he truly loved and served our great country. They were so thrilled that he would be remembered in such a way and at such a meaningful memorial in the nation’s capital.

4. The Universal Message: Your work transcends cultures and countries. How do you perceive the evolution of global sensitivity towards the relationship between humans and animals?

I think we are growing closer every day to a full appreciation for animals and how they help us, as well as the importance of treating our animals well. We’ve seen this in science, in memorials, in actions by rescue and adoption groups, and in terms of dollars spent for the welfare of our animals. There are more groups now than before dedicated to the human-animal bond. Since I created they Always Faithful War Dog Memorial in 1994, which was the first of its kind, there have been countless memorials in the United States and abroad that have been created to the subject of war dogs and other service dogs. I’m very hopeful for the future.

 5. Art as a Tool for Change: What is your greatest dream for the future? What do you hope your works will inspire in others?

I believe that animals have a way of opening our hearts and bringing us together. They bring out the humanity in us. It is my hope that through my monuments people will be moved and have a better appreciation and understanding of those who serve. I hope it will raise their level of compassion for those who serve, and for all people and animals. Ultimately, I believe love is the greatest force on earth, and if people can feel through my work the love inherent in the human-animal bond, then I believe it can have a positive effect through generations. 

6. A Timeless Bond: Is there a sculpture to which you feel particularly connected, or one that best represents the meaning of your work?

While all my creations are like my children in a way and hold a special place in my heart, one that stands out in my mind is the life-size bronze entitled “The Pledge’,  located at the Military Women’s  Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. It depicts a female combat soldier kneeling face-to-face and bonded with her military working dog  just as they are about to go into battle together. It is their pledge to each other to be a successful team and remain safe through their mission, and their pledge of faithful allegiance to our country; to protect and defend our freedom. 

7. Advice for the Future: What message would you like to leave to future generations of artists and those who wish to give a voice to animals through art?

Study and work hard to do your best. Set goals. Believe in yourself. Go with your passion. Dream big. If you love animals, then you will love sculpting or painting them and capturing their essence, and that will surely be a joy in and of itself.